A recent study in 43 countries concluded that children in schools where tobacco-free policies were firmly enforced were much less likely to smoke. However, anti-smoking lessons in classrooms had little impact on smoking rates. Not a surprise. Educational campaigns seeking to change people's behaviour regarding consumption are notoriously unsuccessful, by themselves, whether in terms of tobacco, alcohol, gambling, drugs, or non-nutritious eating. The claims of education can sometimes be pretty grand.

December is now in full swing as are all the activities related to the holiday season. From shopping, to parties, to those getaways to escape the cold, Canadians are moving and mingling. Sadly, this time also marks an upwards shift in the number of respiratory infections.

Changing the nutritional labeling of beer is not what this Canadian Food Inspection Agency consultation is about. It's about modernizing the definition of beer so that good beers don't get caught up in regulatory black holes. The proposed regulations are clean and clear for the industry.

There are many factors we can't control that affect our cancer risk, like growing older, our genetic profile and having a family history of the disease. But the good news is that there is a lot we can control. It's as simple as making healthy choices every day and having policies in place that protect our health. Here are the top 10 ways to lower your risk of cancer.

While the house party that was recently broken up by police in Brampton had some expensive -- and terrifying -- lessons for the families involved, they're teachable moments for the rest of us.
So, here's a checklist of what to ask your teen before they hit the party circuit this weekend or this summer.

When it comes to the climb of pop stardom, Miley Cyrus has proven she can't be tamed. Earlier this month, the singer posted a photo showing a new tattoo in a rather unlikely place: her lower lip. Unlike the other maneuvers, which may have social consequences, this one could lead to medical problems.

When was the last time you saw a pregnant woman sipping a beer? If you are North American, the answer might be never. You might also be surprised to learn that in much of Europe, it's actually not unusual at all. Now, more and more women I know are choosing not to totally abstain from alcohol during their pregnancies. And everyone in their lives are completely losing their minds about it.

This is an excerpt from Anne Dowsett Johnston new book Drink: The Intimate Relationship Between Women and Alcohol. Thanks to the creative, targeted marketing of the alcohol industry, alcohol has a prominent, stylish presence in the lives of women today. However with this newfound popularity over the last decade comes the disturbing rise of binge drinking, DUIs, "drunkorexia" and alcoholism.

In 1920, marijuana was legal in British Columbia, but alcohol was not. What if that was still the law today? Can we imagine a parallel world where alcohol prohibition never ended, and marijuana prohibition never began? In that world, provincial politicians promote B.C.'s vibrant marijuana industry, posing with brand-name joints of B.C. bud, while also calling for longer sentences against brew-ops and wine dealers, to protect youth against the dangers of liquor.

The looming LCBO strike threat has suddenly gotten all sorts of Ontarians anxious about a potentially dry next few days (or weeks). LCBO workers, who are represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), voted 95 per cent in favour of striking, and the deadline is approaching. Yet a strike is in no one's best interests. Now, this entire scenario would change if the availability of alcohol were to be completely diminished. This inconvenience may cause citizens to want an alternative to the LCBO in the event it is rendered incapable by a strike.

You've all heard "you are what you eat" before, right? Well we now know that that is true on a more fundamental level than you ever could have imagined. So, is it possible that the foods we eat can be changing this chemical and physical make-up to actually create feelings of stress and anxiety? Absolutely! Check out the top five foods that can affect your brain chemistry and cause stress and anxiety.

Glamour once ran an article called "30 Things Every Woman Should Have and Know by the Time She's 30." Neither section really captures the unbelievable amount of work women in their twenties do as they transform themselves from teenagers to adults. It's a lot. It takes more than a trip to Home Depot or Victoria's Secret.